Hydrogen refueling infrastructure is severely lacking in all corners of the globe but a partnership between Hyundai Australia, Toyota Australia, petroleum company Ampol, and Pacific Energy hopes to grow this infrastructure Down Under.
The four companies have come together and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop hydrogen refuelling solutions. Precious few details about the companies’ plans have been confirmed at this stage, other than the fact that they will develop hydrogen refueling stations for fuel-cell EVs in Canberra, the nation’s capital city.
“Hydrogen can play an important role in delivering decarbonisation benefits for transport and developing the right infrastructure to support a successful rollout is key,” Ampol managing director and chief executive Matt Halliday said. “The MOU establishes a collaborative working relationship between the parties, who are all required to develop the necessary hydrogen ecosystem to make hydrogen use as a transport fuel feasible.”
Read: Hyundai First To Register Hydrogen Fleet In Australia
Hyundai introduced 23 examples of its Nexo FCEV in Canberra back in 2021 in partnership with the government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Toyota has also been running trials of the Mirai FCEV in Australia, although it is not currently available for private purchase.
“In 2021, Hyundai deployed 23 NEXO Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles into Canberra as a partner in the ACT Government’s hydrogen station project – the first hydrogen refueler of its kind in Australia,” added Hyundai Australia chief executive Ted Lee. “Our consortium partners have a great track record of deploying energy and refueling infrastructure, along with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai looks forward to working with our experienced partner companies and the broader government and business community in the ACT to help the transition to a cleaner and greener transport future.”
As it stands, there are less than 10 hydrogen refueling stations in Australia, including one at Toyota’s local headquarters and one at Hyundai’s Australian base.
